End of the American Way

[doc_bean]

....not to mention the nausiating upbeat enthusiasm.

Superman isnt particulary American overall If anything he is a more a representation of idealized humanity.

I think he fits the 40s/50s version of the American ideal pretty well. You know those good old days with jocks and geeks. before emo or even goth hit the scene ? Superman is like the super-jock, the all American hero. While he isn't a self made man like Luthor he gets by because of his talent and not because of some inheritance, which is clearly part of the American dream. He also answers pretty much every call for help he hears, indicating a strict work ethic.

Luther is another archetype. The intelligent businessman. He probably got most of his money screwing people over. This is in contrast to the hard working, always helpful superman. He represents the dark side of the American dream, the guy willing to sacrifice others for his own wealth.
The fact that he doesn't really posses any superpowers besides his own intellect could be seen as a fear for intelligence/scholarship/knowledge. It is a warning not to thrust people (much) smarter than you because, in the end, you can end up their pawn.

Superman is indeed the farmboy, a man with humble beginnings who is still in touch with his roots. Perhaps Superman is also a symbol for the poor, screwed over guy standing up to the smart businessman. a poor boy standing up to the rich and demanding justice.
But does he do this using his mind, his wit, his intelligence ? No he uses his superior strength. He is the jock picking on the nerd who, if superman were merely human, would make him crawl and beg. Superman is a high school fantasy. It feeds the idea that the jock really is better than the nerd. Superman was America.

It's probably not a coincidence that Spiderman later emerged in the 60s. The time of the cold war. He represents the superstar scientist. The space race was on, teh bomb hung over everyone's head, and people realised that strength alone, even superstrength, was not enough. IIRC Batman also became much more popular during this period.

[Kralizec]

It's probably not a coincidence that Spiderman later emerged in the 60s. The time of the cold war. He represents the superstar scientist. The space race was on, teh bomb hung over everyone's head, and people realised that strength alone, even superstrength, was not enough. IIRC Batman also became much more popular during this period.

Don't forget Iron Man

[Mithras]

talent.

Supermans powers are anything but talent. I suppose you could argue that his powers are the same as athletic ability but superman doesnt really have to develop this-his natural born abilities give him success the moment he desires it. An athelete as with anyone with talent has to develope these abilities to take them as far as he can go, with many pitfalls along the way. Superman is god-like from birth his success like any aristocracy is inhereted. He is born successful and the only issue is what to do with it.

He probably got most of his money screwing people over.

Partly yes but luthor has many admirable qualities which allow him to succeed in life, if he was simply unscrupilous he would not have got this. If you read the comics you'll see he is essentially a genious.

On a side note I've noticed simularities between superman vs Luthor (post crisis) and God vs Lucifer in paradise lost, that the villains admirable traits are both complimentry and condeming of the Heros valor

Superman is indeed the farmboy, a man with humble beginnings who is still in touch with his roots. Perhaps Superman is also a symbol for the poor, screwed over guy standing up to the smart businessman. a poor boy standing up to the rich and demanding justice.

That again is a pretty universal theme. Even the soviet nations drew upon this imagery.

But does he do this using his mind, his wit, his intelligence ? No he uses his superior strength. He is the jock picking on the nerd who, if superman were merely human, would make him crawl and beg. Superman is a high school fantasy. It feeds the idea that the jock really is better than the nerd. Superman was America.

I suppose this is a valid arguement but again celebration of the bravo strong guy which is found in any culture

It's probably not a coincidence that Spiderman later emerged in the 60s. The time of the cold war. He represents the superstar scientist. The space race was on, teh bomb hung over everyone's head, and people realised that strength alone, even superstrength, was not enough. IIRC Batman also became much more popular during this period.

Can you give examples or referances for this part. Prior to his revamp supermans writting is best defined as inconsistant so it is difficult tro generalize beyond his initial release.


While I concur that superman is at least heavily influenced by his cultural origins initially, I believe that he is in fact a universal concept=pretty much all his features are not unique to America. Anything which you can put on Superman as specificly American can easily be found within other cultures (farm boy) or as is often the case are not really very American in nature (his inherited powers).

If you want to see how universal superman is read true brit and red son where he is raised a brit and a commie respectivly. In red son he is affected by communist upraising but his personality is essentially the same even if his aims are misguided. In true brit Superman his personality is again the same even if the comic is a somewhat hackyneyed attempt at satire of British culture.

[Idomeneas]

I also always saw Superman as a universal hero that just happened to be landed in america. I remember when i was watching some WWII era cartoons where superman destroyed the japs and stuff like that. I think that this kind of propaganda only poisones the minds of children and its a dirty mean. I would expect for example superman-as superman- to find a way stopping the war for example.

Anyaway beside that i cant see how superman expresses american way. In fact i see Luthor closer to that. He is self created. Intelligent and depends on his strength. The fact that he choses to be vialain is another thing. Superman on the other hand only PRETENDS that he is a poor farmboy. He is more like a European aristocrat with vast fortune emigrating to another place and chosing to be generous.

One more thing. superman is not a new concept at all. Superman is basically a modern Herakles. Instead of semi-god he is alien, he choses to do good as Herakles chose when came to the crossroad of malice and virtue the path of virtue. He helps people as Herakles did with his labours and other adventures.
The bad thing for me is that he lacks the tragic background that can equate his powers. Nobody can have THAT much without paying a price. Every mythological hero pays a price for his powers. Even if he is father of Gods like Odin. Superman has just the kryptonite which isnt THAT good as counter measure to all his hapiness.

I wouldnt agree for a film showing Superman living in Paris, Athens or Moscow. But i wouldnt agree also with an only american hero not caring for the rest humanity. Lets not forget that he actually has no ethnicity. He isnt even human.

Just for the record though Superman was never my favourite comic hero. I would say i like much more spawn as character or if i would go for a row power guy i would pick Conan. He has no problem to do crime although he follows a code of honour, he doesn act like geek when women are around and sure likes to drink and have a good fight.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

I was never into comic books, but I wouldn't mind an end to (People for) the American Way.

[Aenlic]

It's only the "American Way" if it's your way? Your way or the highway? How very American.